When P.J. Higgins modified positions in 2016, pitch calling got here later within the course of.
His transfer to catcher by the Chicago Cubs group created a chance and path to the large leagues that didn’t seem to exist as an infielder. Higgins’ conversion to the place featured a year-by-year construct up, finally incomes a major-league name up final 12 months earlier than a season-ending damage thwarted him.
Higgins has impressed since becoming a member of the staff May 29 to exchange the injured Yan Gomes. Namely, Higgins’ work with the pitching employees and in-game pitch calling has stood out in his 10 begins at catcher.
Manager David Ross, a former catcher, is aware of what goes into good recreation calling and pitch sequencing. He considers it one among Higgins’ energy, noting how the 29-year-old has a very good really feel behind the plate and complimented him on how he retains data.
“That’s something that can be learned but also is a little bit of just innate ability to understand competition and being able to adjust in the moment from going from Plan A to Plan B to Plan C sometimes,” Ross mentioned. “I think he does a really nice job with that.”
For Higgins, the pitch-calling aspect of the place was “down the road,” as an alternative closely specializing in the bodily and defensive aspect as he labored up by way of the minors. Once he turned snug with that facet of catching, Higgins transitioned to specializing in studying hitters and their swings. Incorporating that into his recreation made catching extra gratifying and simpler as a result of he had higher preparation and a recreation plan.
“Honestly, you’ve got to trust your gut sometimes,” Higgins informed the Tribune. “You can have a scouting report to the T against guys, but you might have the opposing team be absolutely on everything some days. So being able to just watch the game and make sure you’re in tune to the game and be able to adjust on the fly and trust your gut because sometimes we overthink it.”
Higgins believes his time as an infielder has helped him learn swings and subsequently alter his pitch calls and sequencing. Experience and reps, nevertheless, can’t be replicated.
Higgins estimates it took till 2019, when he performed at Double-A Tennessee for a second straight season, to really feel extra in management behind the plate. Making the soar to Triple-A Iowa for the primary time that 12 months meant extra skilled hitters, together with some who had been within the majors. Higgins delved deeper into his personal scouting experiences and geared up himself with as a lot data as attainable.
“I’m not the biggest toolsy guy out there so I feel like I have to think the game through mentally a little more than physically,” Higgins mentioned.
Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy appreciates Higgins’ calmness and talent to learn the sport. Although Higgins is nice at breaking down hitters’ swings, Hottovy doesn’t see him overreact to that factor when calling a recreation.
“He’s really in tune with what is going on,” Hottovy informed the Tribune. “He does a great job of doing his own homework and really taking what the pitcher does really well and finding ways to explore that in-game. He’s humble. He really likes information. He loves talking with pitchers and you can’t ask for more from the guy that’s back there to do that at his age and and where he is in the game.”
When Higgins isn’t catching, he usually sits by the beginning pitchers within the dugout to debate the opposing lineup, simply in case they play them once more sooner or later, particularly division foes. After video games he begins behind the plate, Higgins will break down video of his receiving and sequencing.
Right-hander Kyle Hendricks mentioned he by no means would have guessed Higgins is a transformed infielder. Hendricks, who teamed up with Higgins for one begin this season, credited Higgins’ capability to simplify issues and his understanding of the sport.
“He’s so good back there,” Hendricks informed the Tribune. “Just his feel for the game, his pitch calling just complements that. He really can feel what the hitters are doing. He’s locked in on the pitching staff and helping you get through the game and navigate the lineup, which there’s so much to be said for that. But how he goes about it, it’s a special kind of way. He’s a ballplayer.”
Left-hander Justin Steele performed with Higgins within the minors and remembers how defensive prowess within the infield carried over to catcher, saying, “you want somebody like that touching the ball all the time.” Steele is trying ahead to watching Higgins’ continued improvement.
“All the guys love throwing to him,” Steele mentioned. “He is really good at paying attention and being aware of what’s going on and he calls pitches accordingly. He’s one of those guys that has very good instincts. He cares about the pitchers’ results, and you want a guy like that behind the plate for you.”
With Gomes nearing a return from his indirect damage, Higgins doubtless will quickly be headed again to Triple A till one other big-league spot opens, maybe after the commerce deadline in August or sooner if one other catcher damage arises. He made probably the most of his probability, although, and left a robust impression on the pitching employees.
“He’s always locked in,” Hendricks mentioned. “He’s always trying to find something to make him better. He just loves baseball, which translates and flows over to us.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com